ATX Won't Shift Out of First

[kconnor]

My 1993 ATX developed a transmission pan gasket leak. Over the winter I parked it in the garage put a drip pan under it. Nearly all the fluid dripped out during that time. Springtime I filled the transmission with fluid in order to move it decided to drive it around the block. The transmission would not shift out of first.
I’ve since fixed the leak made sure it was topped it off with fluid and problem persists. Tranny shifted fine before I parked it. No problems at all.
I’m wondering if the problem is in the valve body? It does not slip in first gear it just won’t up shift.

 

[rubydist]

there are a couple of possibilities - you will need to do more detective work to determine which:

1. it could still be low on fluid, since much leaked out. Ford specifically says you cannot reliably check fluid level until the fluid is at normal operating temp. you might try adding another pint.

2. a shift solenoid could have gotten sticky from sitting dry for that period of time. these are replaceable without having to remove trans - they are under the cover on the driver's side/end of the trans.

3. an o-ring or piston could be bad internally, which would require a complete rebuild to fix. unfortunately, this is all too common in the 93 atx.

you should have codes stored from the trans not shifting right - read those codes and report back.

 

[SeanMc]

Could also be the MLPS (Manual Lever Position Sensor aka Neutral Safety Switch). When mine went out, it would start in second, and not up or downshift.